Videos

VHS Archives #49: KISS – Gene and Bruce interview mega-mix (May 1992)

Gene Simmons and Bruce Kulick of  visited MuchMusic in May of ’92 for an interview, and to host the Power 30.  There are some real moments of sincerity, such as when they are asked about Eric Carr.  However the clips you are about to watch are also notable for showing how the Power 30 was a drop in quality from the Power Hour.

Unlike previous MuchMusic visits, this one was broadcast in separate segments.  First is an interview by Teresa Roncon; the best part.  Then there is a Power 30 co-hosting gig, and a smattering of interview outtakes from the Kiss Spotlight.  All filmed the same day, but split apart since the Power 30 was too short.

I’ve recently given you two great Power Hour shows with guest hosts.  Rik Emmett from Triumph was a fabulous co-host and also played music in addition to a substantial interview.  Blackie Lawless of W.A.S.P. picked the tunes for his co-hosting gig, and the candid interview made it one of the best episodes of the entire run of the Power Hour.   Now, here is Kiss co-hosting the shorter Power 30, and there is very little substance.  A bad joke by Gene that went too far and got censored is the only particularly notable moment.  Well, that and Gene’s advice to “fat girls”.  Bruce Kulick seems far more engaged, but it’s jokey and short compared to what the Power Hour used to do.

Stuff to look for:

  • Cool live footage from the Phoenix club in Toronto
  • Gene’s Canadian jokes, which Bruce eventually apologises for
  • Talking about the club tour and playing obscure songs
  • A brief clip from the famed Creatures-era limo interview with Jeanne Bekker
  • Another brief clip from a 1992 Peter Criss interview

I remember when the Kiss spotlight aired, my mom really liked when Gene compared Kiss to “electric church”.  Yeah, my mom loved that….

 

This one required a bit of editing to make it cohesive; I hope you enjoy.

VHS Archives #48: Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes live interview 1992

“If I’m still playing music when I’m 35 or whatever, you know…” – Chris Robinson

By request of Vinyl Daft Dad, J!

The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion was fresh on the racks, and the Black Crowes were hitting the charts for “round two”.  With a plane to catch, Chris Robinson still had time to stop by the MuchMusic studios for a live chat with Natalie Richard.  If you’ve never heard a French Canadian accent before, prepare to swoon.

Live phone calls are answered and Chris does his best to explain what The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion is all about.

VHS Archives #47: Weird Al Yankovic “interviews” Vince Neil, Def Leppard and Ozzy (1992)

Summer, 1992!  Weird Al Yankovic took over MuchMusic for a day, and it became AlMusic!  This entry is dedicated to good pals Sarca Sim and Mars!

Check out Weird Al’s hilarious “interviews” with:

  • a newly solo Vince Neil
  • a jinxed Def Leppard
  • and the prince of darkness himself, Ozzy Osbourne.

AlMusic was a full day of comedy and music, but I only taped the parts I knew I needed to have for my VHS Archives.

VHS Archives #46: Blackie Lawless of W.A.S.P. returns! MuchMusic interview 1992

“If somebody woulda told me what this business was like before I got into it, I still woulda done it.” — Blackie Lawless

The MuchMusic personality here is as yet unidentified (best guess is Angela Dohrmann; help anyone?), but that is definitely Blackie Lawless. The W.A.S.P. mainman (and only remaining member at this point) looks to be in England, judging by the red double decker busses behind. His new album, The Crimson Idol, was the reason.

The Crimson Idol is a concept album about the hazards of the music business, and Blackie offers his perspective.  His beloved horses are discussed again.  He also speaks of W.A.S.P.’s past as a shock rock group in an interesting way.  Check it out.

VHS Archives #45: Steven Tyler on “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)” (1987)

MuchMusic’s Denise Donlon asked Steven Tyler of Aerosmith about their brand new video, “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)”.  This broadcast was the first time my friends and I ever heard the song!

Set your time machine back to fall 1987 and check out this funny interview.

 

VHS Archives #44: Power Hour Bumpers collection!

This one goes out to good pals Mars and Sarca Sim!  I know they love the nostalgia of old MuchMusic bumpers.  Here’s a collection of them that I assembled into one mega-bumper!

The bumpers are generally somebody saying, “Hi, I’m [insert name] from [insert band], and you’re watching the Power Hour on MuchMusic!”  Some flub their lines (Craig Goldy), some put in that extra 10% (Poison) and some do both (Anvil).

It’s either they got only one take, or these are the best ones!

Check out these hilarious rock star ads below, including (in order): Mark Metcalf, Motorhead, Poison, Lita Ford, Anvil, Dio, Rik Emmett, David Coverdale and a couple surprises.

 

 

 

VHS Archives #43: The best Blackie Lawless (W.A.S.P.) interview you’ll ever see (1989)

“The object of being an artist is to stir the minds of men…Unless you’re saying something musically, lyrically, or you’re touching people emotionally somehow, you are not an artist.  You are a factory that makes records.” — Blackie Lawless

Erica Ehm was never gun shy about her distaste for W.A.S.P., yet she helmed the best interview I’ve ever seen with frontman Blackie Lawless.  It’s not a shorty either, so grab a beverage.

Blackie was doing press for W.A.S.P.’s “get serious” album The Headless Children.  He was invited to co-host the Pepsi Power Hour (live!) in 1989.  Erica wasn’t about to throw softball questions, but it’s quite clear that Lawless wins her over.  Blackie is remarkably forthright, with a dash of humour.  He also picked the tunes for the show, and you’ll find out what songs he chose and why.

The myriad subjects discussed:

  • What “Headless Children” means
  • What led to Blackie’s change of lyrical direction
  • The P.M.R.C.
  • The Decline of Western Civilization Part II and Chris Holmes
  • Being shot at
  • The Who’s reunion tour
  • Responsibility
  • Helix
  • Horses
  • Nazis
  • and much, much more.

The Headless Children is the main focus, and for good reason.  It’s an amazing record, and a terrific interview.

 

VHS Archives #42: Rick Hughes of Sword on the Pepsi Power Hour (1987)

MuchMusic introduced me to Sword when they premiered the white hot “F.T.W.” back in 1987.  When Rick Hughes stopped by the Pepsi Power Hour a few months later, I was ready to record!

With sometimes-host Christopher Ward, Rick discussed touring with Motorhead and what Lemmy’s really like.  He also touches on the long awaited second Sword album, on-stage injuries, and what the metal scene was like in Montreal at the time.

Check out this smashing live interview with the always cool Rick Hughes!

VHS Archives #41: The Beatles Help! home video TV ad

I found this ad in the commercials as I was fast-forwarding a tape. In 1987, MPI Home Video released The Beatles movie Help! on VHS for the first time. But wait, there’s more! Order now, and get Sixties Headlines for free! Regular price: $74.95? Holy shit! The 80s were expensive!

VHS Archives supplemental: How they put on a KISS concert (1980)

I was going to put this video online myself, but a more complete version already exists. No point in duplicating it, but I still wanted to make a post for it.  I had this in my VHS collection on one of my 1985 tapes.

I didn’t know what show this was from, since it came from the “Balasz Tapes” recorded off my next door neighbour.  I watched and treasured it, because it was the only video I had of Peter Criss as a kid.  My only Catman footage.  Not to mention it was Kiss!  Kiss in makeup too, and there wasn’t much of that in the mid-80s.

This was from a TV show called 3-2-1 Contact, and it’s a pretty cool demonstration of what goes in to putting on a Kiss concert.

George used to complain about one detail.  The sound tech shows how he can use a harmonizer to create the Gene Simmons “God of Thunder” monster voice.  “He does that with his own voice!” protested George.  As for me, I’m more upset that the sound tech thinks it was Darth Vader who says “My the Force be with you”.

From way back on the Dynasty tour, check out this really cool Kiss clip.